Hello GSCA folks, I am doing some research in preparation for a writing project on graduate and professional education, student empowerment and professional development in higher education. I am hoping that a few of you would be willing to start a dialogue with me to get the writing juices flowing for the project. Please read the outline that appears below. It is an ideal foundation for a good graduate program, no matter the discipline. After you've read the outline, please reflect on the outline and answer the following question: Are you experiencing any of the points outlined below. If yes, explain how the particular point takes form in your program. If no, please explain what you would like to see? For a good graduate program to truly be beneficial to a student I believe it should address the following points (this is not a definitive list, but is a good place to start the dialogue. Add your thoughts at the end of the post if you reply): - Professional development for the graduate and professional student that addresses career development inside and outside the academy; assistance with extending or developing ones publishing and presentation skills; good mentoring and advisement (and tutelage on how a student can do the same for their peers and students) - A multicultural curriculum and faculty. A graduate program should reflect the economic , social and/or global reality of the community of learners it serves in its curricular content and the faculty that disseminates said material. The western discourse is valid , yet faulty in many respects and does not really take into account any other world cultures except those it benefited from ...I am being nice here. - An atmosphere where a diversity of intellectual engagement occurs regularly and is encouraged. - An atmosphere where the graduate and professional students are treated as respected members of their programs and respective field of study; Afforded professional courtesy; Humane treatment and collegial reciprocity. - The program would provide and encourage collaborative opportunities for graduate and professional students to work with their student, faculty and staff colleagues. - The program can not make the student a professional, but works to teach the student the best practices for the field in an effort to promote and nurture professionalism. - The faculty and staff will not adhere to prehistoric or new age hierarchical standards of being mean, nasty and/or bereft of human decency when it comes to their graduate and professional student colleagues. The continuance of hazing-like behaviors that manifest in the form of giving crap work, working them beyond the required hours of their assistantship contract, or treating them as subordinates and/or poorly simply because they are professionals in training is inappropriate and must be stopped. The usual excuse: "It was done to me and I made it ..." is a poor excuse for diminishing a persons spirit and resolve as they train to be a contributor to a field. What good is the person if they lack self-esteem and confidence? How can that person be an exemplar in their field if their spirit is crushed or if they are only prepared to replicate mediocrity and fear?' I can go on, but I think you get the picture. It does not matter what classes or technology is offered/used in a program if an infrastructure does not exist that celebrates the students uniqueness,their potential as a human being and their contributions to a field of study or practice. I look forward to dialoguing with my colleagues and I wish you all patience, good health and luck as you work towards the last month or so of the term. Peace and Prosperity, Yolanda R. Brown C2001 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- LIVE THE WORDS...REAP THE REWARDS! To decide to live at the level of choice is to take responsibility and be in control of your life. Arbie M. Dale “Self worth cannot be verified by others. You are a worthy person because you say it is so. If you depend on others for your value it is other-worth.” Wayne Dyer-Your Erroneous Zones Be prepared, curious and vigilant! Yolanda R. Brown Be the change you wish to see in the world. Mahatma Gandhi Vision looks inward and becomes duty. Vision looks outward and becomes aspiration. Vision looks upward and becomes faith. Author unknown Conventional education makes independent thinking extremely difficult. Conformity leads to mediocrity. To be different from the group or to resist environment is not easy and is often risky as long as we worship success. The urge to be successful, which is the pursuit of reward whether in the material or in the so-called spiritual sphere, the search for inward or outward security, the desire for comfort--this whole process smothers discontent, puts an end to spontaneity and breeds fear; and fear blocks the intelligent understanding of life. J. Krishnamurti ============================================================= The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. 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